Favored concubine deposed empress? I'll seize your throne and marry you to a powerful minister.

"Your Majesty is wise. Your father's expedition to Yimeng Mountain must have been planned and executed. Who handled this document and who passed the information outward are not without clues. If you want to know, you only need to investigate these matters to determine whether the letter in my hand is genuine or not."

As he spoke, he placed the gold-flecked letter paper into Wei Rong's hand.

Wei Rong could feel herself trembling, and killing intent coursed through her body.

Her fingernails were stained with blood. When she unfolded the letter, the bloodstains stuck to the paper, resembling blooming red plum blossoms.

The font that catches the eye is familiar.

The guard was executed at Yimeng Mountain.

Those few words represented the lives of her father and his soldiers, totaling two hundred.

"When the Empress chose her husband, she wanted to create a way out for the Wei family. However, her husband also prioritized his own interests and betrayed her promise. This shows that even one's spouse cannot be trusted. Only mutual benefit can ensure a lasting relationship."

Wei Rong slowly closed the letter. Her eyes were bloodshot, but she did not shed a tear.

"The Empress seeks revenge, while I desire twenty border cities of Dajing. I am not greedy, but on the condition that you become the Empress Dowager of Dajing. Once the Emperor dies and the Xiao family faces a successor, you will be the most powerful person in the capital. With the Empress Dowager interfering in politics, it is not impossible for her to help the son of the Wei family ascend the throne in the future. What do you think, Empress?"

Power has always been an aphrodisiac.

Knowing that the late emperor was wary, Wei Rong first transferred the Wei family from the southern border back to the capital, demanding that her entire Wei clan be taken hostage.

He then harbored murderous intent, wanting to leave his father's life behind in the southern borderlands.

But the late emperor failed to do so; she chose Xiao Heng, yet then had Xiao Heng kill her father.

She knew perfectly well that at this point, she had no one she could trust.

"You've already made plans to take Xiao Heng's life?"

King Su Meng smiled and said, "Without the Queen's inside help, how could I be absolutely certain of success?"

"Then King Su Meng should return first. Once I have investigated the details, I will send someone to discuss countermeasures with you," Wei Rong said, tucking the letter into her sleeve. "Until then, it is best not to act rashly."

Her emotional breakdown happened in an instant, and now she is flawless, truly a flawless Empress.

King Su Meng believed that Wei Rong would not fail to avenge her father's death.

All he needs is patience.

"Then I will await news from the Empress. I believe she will understand that love is worthless; only the power in one's hands can overthrow everything."

Just like Ling Xianru, he climbed over the back window and disappeared into the dense forest in an instant.

After an unknown amount of time, Qiaoyu, perhaps fearing something might have happened to her, called out again, urging, "Your Highness?"

"Come in."

She was jolted out of her reverie and noticed that her hands were still trembling slightly, so she could only grip them tighter.

When Physician Qian entered, he subconsciously glanced around the room.

The interior furnishings remained unchanged, with no signs of anyone having been there; only the curtains at the back window fluttered in the wind.

He changed Wei Rong's dressing, and the swelling on her leg had completely subsided.

"Your Majesty is recovering well. If you are not in pain, you can slowly get out of bed and walk around. Just be careful not to exert yourself too much."

While tidying up the gauze on the ground, Physician Qian noticed a few bloodstains on Wei Rongyue's pale sleeve.

Very few, inconspicuous.

But for Physician Qian, it was enough for him to make a keen observation.

Wei Rong seemed to notice his attention, and moved her wrist to cover the bloodstains.

"I understand."

"Your Majesty—" Imperial Physician Qian wanted to examine her hands, but was interrupted by the Imperial Guards who rushed over.

"Your Majesty! His Majesty has been assassinated!"

This announcement made everyone present tense.

A flash of intense hatred crossed Wei Rong's eyes, but she suppressed it as she turned away, replacing it with an expression of deep concern: "How is His Majesty?"

"Fortunately, a palace maid who was attending His Majesty took the arrow, and His Majesty was unharmed. However, the palace maid was in critical condition, and His Majesty has taken her back to his tent for treatment."

If I'm not mistaken, the palace maid is Feng Wantang.

Wei Rong looked at Qiaoyu: "Let's go take a look."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

When Wei Rong arrived, Xiao Heng's tent was already crowded with people. Upon seeing her, they hurriedly greeted her.

Except for Shen Mingxiu.

Shen Mingxiu's face was full of worry as she grabbed the guard and asked him for details.

"How could an assassin have infiltrated them? Was His Majesty injured? A palace maid? Why did a palace maid specifically take an arrow for His Majesty? I suspect something fishy is going on!"

The imperial guard, who was kneeling and begging for forgiveness, felt even more ashamed upon hearing this: "Your Majesty, it was indeed a very close call. The mountain area had been cleared beforehand, and no one expected that the assassin would be disguised in a tree hole. At that time, Attendant Feng was nearby, and fortunately, she took the arrow for His Majesty. Now the assassin has been killed, so please rest assured, Your Majesty!"

"How can I be at ease? It's only the first day, and an assassination attempt has already occurred. Get out of my way; I need to go see His Majesty. This hunt is over. Let's return to the palace!"

Wei Rong was pushed closer by Qiaoyu. Although she was sitting, she was in no way inferior when she looked up at Shen Mingxiu: "Are you going to make a decision for His Majesty?"

Upon seeing it was her, Shen Mingxiu became even more furious: "Are you only satisfied when His Majesty is in danger and the assassins succeed?"

These words are truly outrageous.

Wei Rong coldly rebuked, "Insolence!"

When she is not angry, she is a gentle and dignified empress. Anyone who sees her would find her approachable, not a barbaric or sharp person.

But once angered, it has the force of thunder.

"His Majesty's safety is uncertain, yet you wish for his misfortune? Do you want me to punish you on his behalf?" After rebuking him, Wei Rong added, "Make way."

Those who wanted to take this opportunity to express their concern for the emperor made way for him in front of the tent.

The Empress seemed to be in a bad mood, and no one dared to touch her brow.

Shen Mingxiu was inexplicably reprimanded and felt very indignant, but she couldn't retaliate. She just wanted to go inside and see what was going on.

As for the so-called sacrifice to save the emperor, in her opinion, that palace maid was just using the opportunity to climb the social ladder.

If we save His Majesty's life, won't we be able to enjoy wealth and honor at our fingertips from now on?

Why should I?!

Wei Rong instructed, "Consort Xian, please wait outside."

"you--"

Yun Sheng arrived with his men, a long sword blocking the entrance and preventing Shen Mingxiu from entering.

However, Xiao Heng's tent contained more than just the imperial physician and himself.

Upon entering, Wei Rong immediately noticed Ling Xianru in the outer room.

The man stood there expressionless, with some bloodstains on his body.

Upon seeing Wei Rong, he gave her a slight smirk.

Wei Rong glanced at it only once before Qiao Yu pushed her into the inner room.

Feng Wantang was lying face down on the pillow, pale and on the verge of death.

The wound on her left shoulder was real; it was an arrow wound, a gaping, bloody gash. The imperial physician was removing the arrowhead and placing it in a dish.

"It hurts—" she whimpered softly.

Xiao Heng didn't notice Wei Rong, but sat by the bed and held Feng Wantang's hand: "It's alright, the broken arrow has been removed, and the imperial physician said that my cousin's life is not in danger."

"Cousin, sob sob sob." Feng Wantang gripped his hand tightly, tears streaming down her face silently. "For a moment, I thought I would never see you again."